SECURITY DYNAMICS IN THE BLACK SEA REGION: ANALYZING THE INTERSECTION OF NATO POLICIES, RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS

Abstract The Black Sea has re-emerged as a central theater of geopolitical competition where NATO's defensive posture, Russia's revisionist ambitions, and the geoeconomics of energy and trade are locked in a complex, dynamic interplay. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered the post-Cold War security architecture, creating a precarious new reality. This article analyzes the key drivers of instability, assesses the shifting balance of power, and evaluates strategic prospects. It argues that while Ukrainian asymmetric warfare has checked Russian naval dominance, the region remains acutely vulnerable to hybrid threats and escalation, demanding a more coherent, resourced, and integrated strategy from Western actors.